Kerry Washington Reveals Childhood Connection to Jennifer Lopez

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Kerry Washington learned how to tear up the floor from Jennifer Lopez.

Interestingly, the actress known for her role in Scandal actually learned to dance from Jennifer Lopez. They both spent time at the same Boys & Girls Club when they were growing up in the Bronx, New York.

Kerry mentioned on the April 14th episode of the Good Hang With Amy Poehler podcast that Jennifer is only slightly older than her, and when they were at the club, Jennifer was considered one of the older, more mature members.

When Kerry’s dance teacher, Larry Maldonado, was ill and hospitalized in the 1980s, Jennifer stepped up to take over teaching the class.

Kerry, age 49, shared that Jennifer used to teach dance classes to young girls. Jennifer was about ten years older than Kerry when she was a child, and Kerry took hip-hop and flamenco lessons from her. “I learned to dance from Jennifer,” Kerry said.

“She’s never hired me to dance in any of her videos,” Kerry joked. “I don’t know what that says.”

Just before 56-year-old Jennifer moved from the Bronx to Los Angeles, she danced for her class, performing a duet with her dance instructor, Larry.

The performance was quite daring – something we weren’t allowed to see. I remember the younger girls playfully telling us it wasn’t for us. Later, during the dance program, we all snuck backstage to watch it anyway. It was stunning, and the performer was beautiful. She’s always been a huge inspiration to me.

Kerry shared how that encouragement aided her as she began her Hollywood career, a story she recounted while honoring Jennifer Lopez with the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment event last December.

Kerry shared that when Jennifer moved from New York to Los Angeles to follow her dream of working in entertainment, it showed Kerry what it meant to be bravely creative. Seeing Jennifer perform as a Fly Girl on In Living Color every Sunday also inspired Kerry to pursue her own individual goals.

She really inspired me, starting with her amazing performance in Selena and continuing through all her subsequent films. She showed me how to believe in things others might think are impossible, and to open my heart and mind to those possibilities.

When the actress from Save the Last Dance was having a tough time, she’d remind herself of Jennifer, thinking, “Jen could handle this. She went through this, and I knew her.” She felt a strong connection to Jennifer, like they were part of the same group.

It sounds dramatic, but it’s true: Jennifer Lopez paved the way for people like me, Kerry Washington. And the amazing thing is, I’m just one of countless others who feel the same way.

For a look at more of Hollywood’s most enduring friendships, keep reading. 

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2026-04-16 23:18